A
midline incision is made slightly caudal to the umbilicus
through skin and subcutaneous tissues using a #10 blade
(Figure 13).

An
incision is made through the linea alba and enlarged with
scissors or scalpel.

The
horn of the uterus away from the surgeon is withdrawn
with a spay hook, and the cranial portion of the ovarian
suspensory ligament is detached from the body wall using
the forefinger (Figure 14) in order to expose the ovary
(Figure 15).

The
ovarian vessels are clamped with 2 carmalt clamps or hemostats,
and the ovarian pedicle is ligated with #2 catgut for
large dogs, #1 catgut for smaller dogs (Figure 16).

The
ovary (still attached to the uterus) is then severed from
the ligated pedicle between the two clamps placed above
the ligation (Figure 17).

Thumb
forceps are used to hold the pedicle as the clamp is removed,
so that the pedicle may be inspected to insure there is
no bleeding before releasing the pedicle back into the
abdomen.

The
same procedure is applied to the 2nd ovary.

The
horns are elevated until the uterine body is exposed. Two
clamps are applied above the cervix, and the uterine body
is ligated with catgut (Figure 18).

The
body (and horns) of the uterus is severed above the ligation;
again, thumb forceps are used to hold the pedicle as the
clamp is removed, so that the pedicle may be inspected to
insure there is no bleeding before releasing the pedicle
back into the abdomen (Figure 19).